Gerald Muizelaar of Grand Forks, North Dakota was at the top of his game in hurling Team USA into the ISF World Softball Championship playoffs.
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AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND – Team USA needed a big game from their ace. And they got it.
Right-hander Gerald Muizelaar fired a two-hitter and struck out 12 in leading USA to a 4-1 victory over Great Britain in the final game of pool A in the ISF World Softball Championships on Wednesday.
USA had a lot riding on this game: If they win they’re in the playoffs. Lose and go home. And it took a reach deep, gut check to turn things around after a disastrous 0-3 start.
But Team USA did an about face, and chalked up four consecutive wins to qualify for the grand finale – the eight-team playoffs – that will decide which country can claim the title of “world’s greatest fastball team.â€
But going in to the bottom of the fifth inning, USA found itself trailing Britain 1-0 as James Darby was twirling a one-hitter himself. But USA got on the board in a big way with four runs, aided by two walks, two errors and Chase Turner’s two-run single that gave Muizelaar all the runs he would need.
Muizelaar finished the seventh by striking out the side for his best performance in pool play. His counterpart, Darby, pitched a strong game as well for Great Britain (3-4), allowing but two hits (Turner 1-3, 2 RBI, and Derrick Zechman 1-3), and striking out five.
Great Britain scored its solo run in the third when they loaded the bases on a leadoff walk by Luke Peters, a single by Kenneth Pregnell (who was the only Britain to hit safely, with a 2-for-3 effort), and a walk to Ryan Martin. Then up to the plate stepped the dangerous Richard Haldane – batting in the number two spot.
But Muizelaar got him with a popup to shortstop Todd Schultz. But a wayward pitch hit Darrin Newson, sending Peters home with Britain’s run. But Muizelaar reached back and struck out Darby to end the threat and the inning.
Muizelaar had his strikeout pitch working as well as his drop ball as he got six batters via the ground ball, and just two by way of the fly ball.
Now Team USA waits the pairing for the playoffs that will be played March 8-10, with the top three teams awarded the Bronze, Silver and Gold medals. Currently, Australia – the defending 2009 champion – has a 6-0 record on top of Pool A.
In Pool B, New Zealand and Canada share the top spot at 5-1, with Canada taking a 9-7 decision over the Kiwis in their matchup.
Let the playoffs begin!
